Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-07

told MN OF tho Jews visit and the
proposition he had made.
n "lie has changed his mind pretty
4 quickly" remarked Mcgilp. "This
morning he would have nothing TO say
G to my proposal Besides e25 is very
. little TO get in hard cash. so shall
. certainly wait for few days before l
. decide. Carper promised 10 speak a
good word for mo TO a dealer he
{ knows"
A day or two afterwards Mr. Abram
Levi presented himself at Mcgilps
studio, and found the artist putting a
few final touches to "Chloc Counting
: Her Chickens" He surveyed the
picture attcntivcly for some minutes,
and then, turning to Michael Angelo,
he blandly offered him f100 for il.
"Why, I've had the offer of as good
as fS25 for II already" exclaimed the
artist, Indignantly.
MIR. Levi prickod up his ears.
"Hullol somebody has got the start
Of me-" he thought ruciully. Who
the deuce can it bcP"
"Well, l don't mind giving you El5O
for it-and perhaps you've something
else 1t may suit me to buy" he said,
with a glance round the studio.
whats this?" he added. going up
to large picture, very Handsomely
framed, but turned with face to the
wall
IA picture l sent in to Burling-
ton House last year, but IL wasn't ac-
ccpted,' stammered Michael Angelo.
" Humphl don't wonder What's
the name Of it?' went on the dealer,
reading the legend inscribed on the
frame, Margaret Monding her
Stockings "No, that won't suit
me; it's big, ugly thing, and shock
ingly raw. You've done better work |
| since -"
"All Of which is sold" interrupted |
Megilp, in a huffcd tone, Except this
little thing-'Sour Grapes"
But again the dealer shook his head,
and took his stand before the easel on
which stood "Chloc."
I'm give you $500 for it," he said
at last
Michael Angelo besltat.d. lie would
rather Levi had the picture than
Zerubbabel; but IL seemed hard that
he should make no present profit out
Of this-his best work. Every penny
Of the $500 would be swallowed up in
getting clear OF that unfortunate bill
Of sale!
"Give me a week to think it over"
he said at last, turning abruptly
round to the dealer.
In doing so, he caught his foot In
the support of the easel, and the
picture fell heavily to the ground
Good Heavens, what have YOU
done?' cried Mr.. Levi. Poor Michael
Angelo was too frightened to speak.
Together they picked up the picture.
Fortunately. the canvass was not dam
aged, but largo corner Of the frame ,
was chipped OF.
That's soon romcdied," said Mr.. ,
levi. "A new frame won't cost I,
much. But, MIR. Megilp, hope you'll 5
think over my offer; it may lead to $
further business, you know" he I
added, amiably. Aud he left the art d
ist standing, with rather rueful air, I
before his cherished picture. a
What has happened, AngyP l q
heard something fall. What has Mr.. i
Levi offered you9 Oh, what a pity!- =
the beautiful frame" said Mrs. Meg I
lip. bustllng into the studio. But With. b
out waiting for answers TO her ques- q
tons, she went on: I've Just had a I
letter from Aunt Jane, and she wants n
US to spend from Saturday to Monday n
with her. DO let me accept, dear. I
You look quite pale from overwork, I,
and l so long for a sight Of the coun- "
ry. DO lets get away from these n
and people and have u
/ holiday. I'm sure we both want il. =" q
Levi has offered me G3OOfor Chloe, :,
'egan Megilp, gravely.
why, that's worse than Mr.. Zerub- .,
,abel- but about Aunt James invita- q,
ion. Angy. May / accept?" :,
Megilp never could refuse his wife Ii
my thing. She had evidently set her II
leart upon the visit, so. though he T
lidn't like leaving town at such el
ritical moment. he let her have her b,
'wn way; and the note accepting Aunt tc
Iane's invitation was written and posted III
olthwith. a,
Having called at the picture-framer's d,
nd ordered a new frame for Chloe" fr
nd left the key Of the studio with bl
larry Anne, the housemaid, with direc- te
ions to hand over the picture to Mr.. r
representative, Mcgilp, and ty
is wife left town the following after III
Don and spent delightfully."- quiet of
unday with Aunt Jane at her cottage is
4 Sussex. b,
Late on Monday evening the Megilps tr
eturncd home. ANY one called while pI
C were away? Any letters, Mary Ia
nneP Mrs. Mcgilp asked. rs the pi
eat hand-maiden met her at the door II
"Oh, yes, mum, If you please" re- st
lied Mary Anne, volubly. "On Sat Ia
rday, soon after you and master left, be
IT. Ormolu's young man came for the th
icture-the pretty ore with the chick pa
rs; and this morning came dark ST.
Jewish gentleman. / in
iould say, mum-the same as called no
le other evening when master was out. ye
nd he dst me If he could see masters be
ctures; and said yes, l thought he Sc
'uld, and showed him into the draw tn
groom. / hope / did right, SIR" co
le added, turning to Megilp. ba
"Quite right Which pictures did ~
'u show him, Mary Annc?" 'e'
81 ast him to wait minute, re-
med the girl, smoothing her apron
'mplaccntly, land / made the studio
ok quite nice before showed him In. In